Windham Defeats Bonny Eagle 42-0 to Advance in SMYFL Playoffs

Middle School Football

October 26, 2008

By David Field

 

Team captains approach mid-field followed by the rest of the team. Photo by David Field

 

Windham ME:The weather seemed dim but brightened up as the game went on and Windham continued their undefeated season by topping the Bonny Eagle Scots 42-0.

 

Tyler Pennanen fights his way through the Bonny Eagle kick off team to start the game. Photo by David Field

 

Bonny Eagle won the toss and deferred to Windham.  However, the Scots were looking to trick the Eagles.  The opening kick off was on side and Tyler Pennanen picked up the bouncing pigskin and moved the ball forward to secure the Eagle possession. Windham wasted little time and Christian Coons took the ball 39 yards to put Windham on the board.  The Eagles lined up to kick, but the snap was bobbled and the play was converted to a two point conversion that was foiled.

 

Christian Coons scrambles the last of his 39 yards to score the first Eagle touchdown. Photo by David Field

 

The Scots and Eagles traded punts and Windham forced Bonny Eagle to punt deep from its zone and took over at the 40 yard line.  Damien Shepard (AOW) quickly peeled off a 37 yard gain to give Windham first and goal.  Christian Coons again found the end zone to give the Eagles the 12-0 lead.  Tyler Pennanen was stopped on the two point conversion attempt.

 

Damien Shepard (AOW) heads to the end zone after catching a Calvin Field pass. Shepard's brother and mother cheer him on from the sideline. Photo by David Field

 

The Windham defense loomed large on the next Scot possession.  They forced Bonny Eagle to punt on fourth and 25.  Colby Waterhouse (AOW) returned the punt to the Scot 15 to set up the next Eagle touchdown.  Calvin Field passed to Damien Shepard (AOW) to record the score.  Field then passed to Nick Sundquist to convert the two point PAT.

 

Colby Waterhouse (AOW) runs in the two point conversion after Damien Shepard's (AOW) 74 yard touchdown. Photo by David Field

 

The Scots seemed to sense that they had to get in the game.  They put together a drive that Windham couldn’t stop.  In the Eagle zone, the defense stepped up and forced a fourth and four and stopped the attempt.  Windham took over on its own 17 yard line.  On the second play from scrimmage, Damien Shepard (AOW) ran 74 yards to record his second touchdown.  Colby Waterhouse (AOW) scampered in for the two point conversion. 

 

Windham’s defense continued to make itself known.  Bonny Eagle was forced to punt after three plays.  Joe Francoeur found his way through the line and tipped the punt.  Christian Coons caught the ball and ran to the 17.  Coons got the call on offense and his team literally had to push him through the mud to the one yard line.  Calvin Field took the assignment and scored on the quarterback keep up the middle.  The PAT was stopped by the Scots.  Windham went into the half leading 34-0.

 

#17 Jordin Allen fights his way up field. #59 Matt Aldrich does his best to block a path for him. Photo by David Field 

 

Windham kicked off to the Scots to start the second half and held them on their possession and forced them to punt.  Windham took control on the Bonny Eagle 40 yard line and Damien Shepard (AOW) ran the opening play to the end zone.  The PAT kick missed wide.  Windham’s defense held the Scots and forced a punt.  The Eagles took over at the Scot 40.  Windham drove the ball down into the red zone.  On first and goal, Windham attempted a field goal.  The kick missed wide.  The Scots took possession.

 

Damien Shepard (AOW) intercepts a pass in the fourth quarter. Photo by David Field

 

Windham’s defense again played superbly and recorded a safety.  On the subsequent kick, Jordin Allen ran 40 yards for the Eagles.  Windham, after making several offensive substitutions, were unable to move effectively against the Scots.  The Eagles punted and put the Scots at their own ten yard line.   Windham’s defense kept the Scots out of the end zone and recorded their first post-season win.

 

Catch the Eagles next week at home against Scarborough.  Scarborough defeated Noble 30-22.  The winner of next week’s game will play the winner of York at Saco for the SMYFL Championship.